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Manila Bulletin devider Sports devider Volleyball devider Unbeaten High Speed Hitters, surging Titans collide in key duel

Unbeaten High Speed Hitters, surging Titans collide in key duel

Published Oct 15, 2025 02:17 pm

At A Glance

  • Match is at 6:30 p.m. with the High Speed Hitters and the Flying Titans seeking follow-ups from their respective first victories.
Anastasiia Bavykina is expected to step up anew for PLDT. (PVL Images)
Anastasiia Bavykina is expected to step up anew for PLDT. (PVL Images)
Powerhouse teams PLDT and Choco Mucho headline an action-packed triple-header when they clash on Thursday, Oct. 16, in a marquee matchup in the Premier Volleyball League Reinforced Conference at the Smart Araneta Coliseum.
Match is at 6:30 p.m. with the High Speed Hitters and the Flying Titans seeking follow-ups from their respective first victories.
Farm Fresh, likewise, seeks a second straight win in as many games when it squares off with Cignal (0-1) in the 1:30 p.m. curtain raiser, while Capital1 and Nxled aim to bounce back from fresh losses in their 4 p.m. duel.
Billed as a clash of league favorites, PLDT and Choco Mucho are set for a thrilling showdown as they field their battle-tested lineups.
The High Speed Hitters, who are coming off a dominant sweep of the Capital1 Solar Spikers last Monday, Oct. 13, also stake their 14-game winning streak with Russian import Anastasiia Bavykina out to join forces with Fil-Canadian Savi Davison and Kim Dy.
Despite the emphatic win, head coach Rald Ricafort emphasized that the team is still a work in progress.
“Marami pa kaming kailangang ayusin,” said Ricafort. “Nag-a-align pa siya sa team. Yung mga kulang namin, siya ang nagpupuno. Hopefully, with chemistry, mas makapag-gel kami.”
Cohesion will indeed be key for PLDT as it duels a confident Choco Mucho side that proved its mettle in a four-set stunner over Cignal – despite playing without American import Anyse Smith, who is still awaiting her special work permit.
Led by Maddie Madayag and Isa Molde, the Flying Titans leaned on their local core to pull off the win, showing depth and resilience.
Choco Mucho head coach Dante Alinsunurin also eyes Des Cheng, Kat Tolentino, Cherry Nunag and Royse Tubino to provide strong reinforcements.
PLDT, however, is not lacking in firepower either. Alongside Bavykina, the High Speed Hitters have a formidable cast that includes Kim Dy, Majoy Baron, Mika Reyes, Dell Palomata and Canadian ace Savi Davison. Jessey de Leon and Jovie Prado add depth, while top rookie Alleiah Malaluan is also expected to see action.
Meanwhile, Farm Fresh is expected to bank anew Helene Rousseaux after their 6-foot-2 Belgian hitter exploded for 38 points in their four-set win over Nxled last week.
But the Foxies are facing a Cignal team aching to regain its bearings after a four-set loss to Choco Mucho with Vanie Gandler and Evangelia Chantava leading their charge.
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